Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-03-23
M1istellaueuns &eading.
AN EXPERIENCE,

Yes, indeed, used to be awfully afraid
of death; didn't want to hear anything
about it-didn't want to even think of it.
You see, I'd never been brought very
close to it. My grandfather and grand
mother all died before l was born, and
nv father and mother both passed away
when 1 was but baby girl, and since
then, there are four brothers and six Sis
ters of whom I am the youngest, and Pm
thirty-eight-and any number of nepheWs
and nieces and seven grandchildren in
our family circle, it has remained unbro-
ken. AS for uncles and aunts and cousins,
I believe we have some such relations in
various parts of the country, but, as we
have never made their acquaintance, we
have never been called upon to. mourn
the loss of any of them. So could only
imagine the final parting with beloved
one, and to me it seemed the saddest OF
all sad things in this world of trials and
sorrows.
But after that death bed. But wait.
I'll tell you all about it. ! had friend, q
very dear friend, a beautiful l'woman, with
lovely blue eyes, and bright golden hair.
She just begun promising career as a
singer after long years of hard study,
when she was stricken down by that fatal
disease, consumption.
Invent to see her, and although in her
own home, surrounded by her own kin,
who served her with willing hands and
loving hearts, she begged me to stay a
few days with her. 1--WE have always
been such good comrades" she said, "and
understood each other so we'll that it will
be a real comfort to have you near me. l
am sure it will not be long before 1 am
we'll again. This is a very heavy cold,
but it will wear away as other colds l
have had"
So I stayed, but, alas! She got no bet
ter, but grew weaker and weaker, every
day. Still she clung to the hope Of regain
ing her health and strength.
IL will not die," she said. "This world
is too dear to me. I tremble at the
thought of leaving it. I will not die"
Well, after I had been with her nearly
three weeks, one stormy night the wind
was blowing and the rain was falling in
torrents, I said to her, "How glad we
ought to be that we are sheltered from
that terrible Storm"
"How glad would be-" she family re-
plied-her voice had grown so weak it
was scarcely above Whisper-"if were
able to be out in it," Then she begged
me to lie down on the lounge opposite her
bed. "You are tired" she said; "sleep
awhile and will try to sleep, too"
I lay down, closed my eyes and had just
fallen asleep. when a glad, exultant voice
awakened me. It was my friend who
called. Yes, she who but few moments
before could speak only in the faintest
tone.
She had half risen in her bed. Her
eyes shining with celestial light, were
raised to heaven, and, believe me or not,
but / swear to you it is true, halo of
wonderful brightness encircled her golden
head.
"Oh, what coward I have been :"
she cried in clear, ringing tones, ito fear
the coming of death-to cling to this poor
world with such a glorious land beyond.
Beautiful angeis-darling mother, l am
ready" Then turning her eyes upon me,
she went on: "Dear, this is death, and it
is far, far lovelier than life" And, as the
golden head sank back upon the pillows,
she had faded away and the blue eyes
closed to open no more on earthly scenes.
will only add that she never had been
told of the passing away of her darling
mother" it having taken place during
her own illness, and that since that night
I have never been afraid of death.